PETERSFIELD.
FIRE.—On Friday evening about 20 minutes to eight o’clock a fire was discovered in the house of Mr. John Harffey, baker, grocer, &c., in the Square. It appears that at the time stated Mr. Harffey entered the shop when he heard something fall in the room above, directly upon which his niece, four years of age, who was in bed three rooms away from the one on fire began crying. He thereupon took a light and proceeded upstairs. Having secured the child and placed her with his family (who by this time were all alarmed) he hastily proceeded to the police-station some 50 yards away, where luckily he found Mr. Superintendent Longlands, who, with P.C. Elderfield hurried to the scene of the fire. Having reached the premises, and allowing a sufficient number of persons to enter, the doors were fastened, and the room in which the fire was burning was approached, and water thrown into the same with great energy. At the same time it was conveyed upwards and thrown over the ceiling, the laths of which in some places were found to have ignited. Holes were at the same time forced through to allow the water to escape upon the flames below, and the fire was subdued, but not until all the furniture was destroyed. Great praise is due for the ready and efficient aid rendered by the police and others, who worked heartily under the able direction of the superintendent. The furniture is insured.
Hampshire Independent — Saturday 15 October 1864
PETERSFIELD.]—ALARMING FIRE AND PROVIDENTIAL ESCAPE.—At about 20 minutes to eight o’clock on the evening of Friday, a fire was discovered on the premises of Mr. Harffey, grocer and baker, residing in the Square. Mr. Harffey instantly proceeded to make all his family secure, and then hastened to the police station, where he obtained the assistance of Mr. Superintendent Longlands and P.C. Elderfield. The fire was confined to one of the bedrooms, and by the energy which was displayed the flames were prevented from reaching beyond this. Only a sufficient number of persons were admitted, and they commenced throwing water into the room. The doors were also made secure. The fire would probably soon have penetrated the ceiling, as some of the laths were ignited, but with judicious management and perseverance the fire was subdued, but not till all the furniture was destroyed. Great praise is due to the superintendent and to all who took part in overcoming the flames. We think it was a wise precaution to secure the doors. We believe it not infrequently happens that upon the alarm of a fire the danger to and destruction of property are considerably augmented by doors and windows being opened, which causes a strong current of air to pass through the building, which necessarily increases the consternation, and oftentimes allows of a loss of property which, with care, might have been prevented. We believe Mr. Harffey was insured.